Spreading the Word
Alan became hearing impaired at just three years of age.
This is his story.
Alan Keir May 2007
I wasn't born deaf but became hearing impaired at just three years of age due to nerve deafness but it wasn't until I was 16 that I got my first old fashioned body pack hearing aid. My hearing had been progressively dropping until by now I had only about 40% normal hearing left. This made it hard enough to cope but on top of that I often had ear infections making it harder and harder for me.
I continued with my hearing aid, coping in the hearing world until I was 30 years old but in 1984 I had a bout of the Hong Kong flu and when I recovered I had lost all my hearing.
I lived deaf for the next 13 years. I learnt sign language but wanted to hear. In 1993 I was assessed for a Cochlear Implant and put my name down as a public patient in the Mater Cochlear Implant program. Four years later in November 1997 I received my SPrint N24 Cochlear implant which was very successful.
In those days, the Cochlear Implant was not well known but my wide fixed smile at having my hearing back brought many questions from friends and strangers alike. This encouraged me to run Cochlear Implant workshops for the Discovery Club (Queensland Deaf Society) at BHA and in conjunction with the Mater implant clinic at the Mater Hospital.
I told my story - 2 or 3 times a day, week after week, month after month
I loved spreading the word. I told my story 2 or 3 times a day, week after week, month after month. I regularly come across people who I personally helped make a decision to have a Cochlear Implant and I still smile widely when I see the differences being able to hear has made to their lives.
In 2000 I married Sandra who is profoundly deaf. Of course I (with the help of a few other people) talked her into getting her first Cochlear implant in 2002. At this time I also upgraded to the 3G processor and I wanted her to discover how much easier life is if you can hear.
Through my work, I had heard many stories about the advances of new implant technology so I decided to have my other ear implanted and became a bilateral implantee in November 2006. After finding out first hand that my new processor was picking up more sounds than my old 3G processor, I decided to upgrade the processor for my left ear to the new Freedom processor which I received on 3rd May 2007.
I still love helping people make the decision to regain their hearing
I still love helping people make the decision to regain their hearing through Cochlear Implants, and still tell my updated story and in March 2007 I was accepted as a Cochlear Awareness Network (CAN) member.
Thanks to Professor Graeme Clarke who pioneered this fantastic invention, I can hear again.
Alan Keir was born in December in 1954. He lives in Brisbane, works as a self-employed Electrician, is married and has two sons and two stepdaughters. He enjoys Tenpin Bowling, Four wheel driving and works on telecommunication issues for the Hearing Impaired and is involved as a volunteer in many organisations.
Favorite Quote: - The Impossible done straight away, MIRACLES take a little longer!